Andrew evans



(No Model.)

r EVANS. DEVICE; FOR CLOSING AIR TIGHT VESSELS. No. 322,433. Patented July 21', 1885.

I aux 1 02;

- fla l-4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW EVANS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.-

DEVICE FOR CLOSING AIR-TIGHT VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.'322,433, dated July 21, 1885.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW EVANS, of the city of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Devicefor Closing and Handling Air-Tight Vessels, &c., of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for closing, locking, and handling vessels designed for use in emptying privy-vaults, cesspools, 83c. and I accomplish this object by means of the device described in this specification, and illustrated in the drawings filed herewith, and made a part hereof, and in which similar letters of reference relate to similar parts of my invention.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a portion of a barrel in sectional view with my device attached. Fig. 2 represents a portion of a cask with my device attached, displaying an end view of the same when locked. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of a cask with the lid secured by means of my device.

In Fig. 1, e represents metal ears, secured to the opposite sides of the cask by means of bolts or screws 3 4 and having their upper ends projecting above the top of the lid Z sufficiently to receive the saddle-shaped ends of the locking cross-bar O, in which they securely rest when my device is locked.

0 represents a cast or malleable iron crossbar, the middle part of which is made to curve upward, forming a handle, h, and the ends of which are provided with depressions or saddles d, to receive the ears 0. Said barG is also provided with hand-screws h 8. Z is a flanged lid provided with iron straps 1 and 2, bolted together, as seen in the drawings. 1' is a rubber packing-ring. s t are the staves of the cask, the upper ends of which are out so as to form a V-shaped joint, j.

The method of operating my device is as follows: The lid Z being placed in position on the mouth of the cask, I adjust the ends of the cross-bar O in the ears 0, so that the saddles (1 will receive said ears when brought to bearing; screw down the handscrews h s, which bear upon the iron strap 1, lifting the cross-bar 0 against the ear 6, thus producing any desired pressureon the lid e, which, resting on the rubber packing-ring 7), forms an airtight joint at j when the cask can be lifted in and out of the vehicle by the handle h.

The advantage I derive from employing my device are as follows: The V -shaped-jointj, caused by cutting the staves s t, as described, in combination with the elastic rubber packing-band 2;, forms a more perfect resistance to the escaping gases than if the joint opened inwardly, for obvious reasons. The bar 0, from its peculiar construction, serves as a handle for the cask or vessel, as well as a means of fastening down the lid, thus economizing in the cost of construction and in the time of performing the operation of locking, which is facilitated by the peculiarmethod of applying the hand-screws h s.

Iamaware that devices for fastening airtight vessels for the purpose specified have been employed; but I am notaware that the device described and claimed in this specification has ever been used for the designated jointj, for hermetically closing air-tight vessels, substantially in the manner, and for the purpose set forth. 7

2. In a device for closing and handling airtight vessels for emptying privy-vaults, sinks, and cesspools, the combination of the cross-bar 0, having handle h, hand-screws h s, and saddle-shaped notches d, with ears 6, lid Z, and cask b, substantially 'in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this- 3d day of March, A. D. 1885. h ANDREW EVANS. [L. s.]

WVitnesses:

OLIVER G. RICE, A. H. DIoKEY. 

